BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – While Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (18-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is no stranger to the bright lights of competing for a major MMA promotion, even he admits walking into the octagon is a different experience.

At Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 28 event, he’ll compete in front of his Brazilian countrymen, who will no doubt expect him to dispatch of tough Japanese middleweight Yushin Okami (29-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC). It’s a responsibility he welcomes.

“I like that responsibility,” Souza told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) in his native Portuguese. “When I was heading towards the stadium to face Chris Camozzi, I was very happy because I had trained extensively and I felt very ready. I entered the octagon in a happy mood, and I knew I’d be doing good work.”

Souza faced Camozzi at this past May’s UFC on FX 8 event, which took place in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil. The small Arena Jaragua was electric as Souza fought, and the crowd cheered his win by clapping their arms like the jaws of an alligator in reference to Souza’s reptilian fighting moniker.

Despite boasting eight Strikeforce appearances and five fights for DREAM, Souza admitted the experience was special.

“It’s completely different,” Souza said. “It’s a world-class event. Everything is grandiose, even when they announce your name. That’s why so many fighters feel so stressed the first time around. It’s a lot of bright lights. It’s a gigantic show that’s seen around the world.”

Souza did just fine under the bright lights, submitting Camozzi in the first round. As soon as the fight was over, UFC officials revealed they were thinking of booking Souza vs. Okami. That fight now takes place Wednesday at Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

A multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, Souza brings true elite-level grappling to the cage. Meanwhile, Okami’s wrestling is considered one of his best attributes, giving the matchup a bit of an old-school flair. Of course, MMA has moved beyond the era of single-discipline athletes, and Souza’s striking has steadily improved. Still, he makes no secret about his typical gameplan.

“We have to be good in all areas in this sport,” Souza said. “But I’m always training on the ground, with the gi. It reminds me I come from jiu-jitsu.

“I’m the kind of guy who always seeks to show something new in every fight, depending on the opponent. This fight will be no different. I want to show my evolution, but I still have dangerous jiu-jitsu.”

Wednesday’s fight is a key contest in the UFC’s middleweight division. Souza currently sits at No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com middleweight MMA rankings, while Okami resides at No. 4. Every fighter in the top-10 is currently matched up in the class, so there’s a potential for some major moves in the division.

But none of that will matter when Souza’s walking to the cage. The passionate Brazilian fans aren’t worried about rankings, they’re worried about seeing their fighters win.

Souza is ready to deliver.

“I am only thinking of my next fight,” Souza said. “In Brazil, we have the best fans in the world. That must weigh on any opponent.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.